Where the heck should we move to?!

[Paisleypatch]

So we currently live in London and are trying to work out whether to sell up or rent up but either way we're done and we haven't quite settled on where yet.
I know, I know, 'Tired of London, tired of life!' but I'm tired of our immediate area as the schools are rubbish and it really doesn't feel safe anymore. We've looked elsewhere in London but our budget doesn't stretch.

I am hoping that someone might be able to suggest a place that we either haven't thought of yet or give me hope for the places that we are seriously considering. If you are able to help, thank you!! I know, I am pretty much looking for perfection which I won't find but I'm trying to find as close as possible.

We are a small family with a 11 Month DS. Mid 30's and a small doggo. I work as a birth doula and hubby works for an American tech firm so we aren't confined by commutes atm, though DH might need to get to London on occasion so no 4 hour train journeys. We also don't want to be more than 2.30 hours from north Essex where my aging parents are!

So what do we want, well everything! But I'll start with the must haves - access to coast or lovely countryside. We would also like good pubs/restaurants for when we can maybe use them. Good schools, things to do for small babies as I don't work full time so want to be able to take DS out and about and have found groups and classes so wonderful for him. We've obvs been spoilt where we are but a good young family community would be amazing as I wouldn't be against setting up my own groups.

Now to the affordability bit which is essentially what holds us back from most 'perfect' places! We are looking for a 3-4 bed and we have a budget of max £550.

Places we are seriously considering (and there are probs no surprises here)

Ramsgate
Broadstairs
The Dedham Vale area North of Colchester, but really seems to spenny
Cambridge - again seems to spenny but maybe surrounding villages?
Suffolk coastal - again too spenny and maybe too full of holiday lets
Rye - might just work

Basically I would LOVE your insights and experience of any or all of this! Thanks so much in advance. Xxxx

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I would definitely check out Canterbury- we lived there for 8 years at one point. It has the advantage of only 6 miles to coast (whitstable) but easy to get to broadstairs, ramsgate etc - without the disadvantages of the Kent coast which can be a bit bleak in winter and not that diverse. Being a university city too gives it a good vibe and it has a hospital and decent schools and good shopping and social life stuff. Fast train line to London too when needed (54 minutes)

It is in budget- here's a couple of examples- these are in a nice area near university but still handy for town

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86535231#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/139849949#/?channel=RES_BUY

This one is on edge in very pretty village

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/139827659#/?channel=RES_BUY

Cambridge. Amazing schools, high employment, diverse communities, the Uni, ARU, the river, the villages. It is expensive but if you buy there your investment will definitely grow. Cambridge voted Remain in the Brexit saga.

Thank you all so much for your input.
It’s been incredibly helpful and as a result we are going to view some houses in Norwich on Friday!!
Never would have considered it had some of you not suggested it and it’s looking like it ticks a huge amount of our boxes, so thank you!

xxx

Where did she move to? I might follow her!

@Paisleypatch Ooh I love Norwich too-it's a belter of a small city if you don't have to be in London

I sense you’re looking for a lifestyle change as well as a move - but would you consider the villages and towns just a bit further outside of east London? It gets into countryside very quickly, would help you keep links with your existing client base and is still affordable - Epping, Theydon Bois etc. Nearish to your parents and presumably your husband’s links. You have the forest, fields and decent schools.

One thing I would counsel though is going too far. I work at a big and famous American tech firm and while there’s still flexibility, there’s a huge back to office push. Even colleagues with official remote roles are being told there’s a move to make them office roles next year. Don’t be one of those who has moved too rural and then has to uproot your family again because it’s impossible to get those tech salaries on a remote role anymore.

Norwich? And I still don't know what OP thinks is a 'good school'

If you fancy something left-field, try Storrington, nestled under the South Downs a few miles from Worthing and Brighton on the south coast. Not this property in particular although it looks lovely with the Downs in the background.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/135162560#/?channel=RES_BUY

Haven't seen it mentioned but Felixstowe is nice and underrated imo. I have family there, and also in the Dedham Vale area as mentioned in your OP, and of the two I'd choose to live in Felixstowe.

I have also lived in Norwich and agree it is a lovely city and an easy drive to the coast.

We moved to Norwich about 2 years ago - we love it - walking distance to the city, good restaurants and pubs and lovely Victorian Terrace 4 bedroom cost us £500k

thaxted in essex nice quaint very picturest and quite village very old houses with caricature and surrounded by countryside your budget of £550.000 you will find a house with plenty of room schools good shops good transport good good luck

We’ve decided to move to New York!
My husband had a job offer there and so we’ve decided to have a couple of years of USA adventure and come back in time for school!
Thanks so much to everyone for your help and advice. We seriously considered Norwich and will definitely revisit this post when we come back and the question still remains ‘where should we go!’

xxxx

@Paisleypatch great thing to do whilst you can- crap for housing though- and even more expensive than London- hope he is very well paid as I don't think you can work?? I may be wrong but had a friend in an identical position.

He does get paid well, it’s a proper step up from his london salary even in line with the more expensive living!

and very luckily I can work with his visa so that’s great too!

@Paisleypatch ooh that's good- I didn't want to be a doom mongerer - just had seen it put the downers on a couple I knew- enjoy it!

Oh congratulations, great time to do it - though remember to be settled back in plenty of time for the school applications!

Ooh, why Ramsgate ?